Golf game



June 13, 1933 F FOX ET AL 1,913,922

GOLF GAME Filed Sept. l0, 1929 BY (di,

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 13, 1933 -rnEDERIcK I.; Fox, or

PATE Nr oli-FICE WASHINGTON,-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ANI) C. G'IBSQN, OF-FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA GoLrflcAMn Application filed September .10, 1929,.AvSerial No. 391,684.

' This inventionrelates to an improvedportable golf game vof aspeciesembodyingv a game vboardvvhose surfaceis printed, painted orotherwisepatternedto provide` a'unique and completeplayinglield which isintended to accommodate one. or more indicators, tliese'indictatorsbeing, of special form and movable over.'especially designed sectors or.

designedto providea novel golfgame of they type .shown in ourco-.pendingfapplication for,y

patent designated. as Serial Number v'322,885 .20r andiled unden date ofNovember 30,1928.

rllhe novelty ofthe invention embodied in this application is predicatedupon refinements, revisions and improvements ymade. on`

certain of the details of the complete` game mentioned inl our.coz-pending, application.

above-identified@ v i In order. to obtain a, clear and comprehensive.understandingfof the features. includedfin this particular case, we deemit advisable to mentiony briefly the general idea` andconstruction ofthe golf gameshownvand described in the aforesaid application.

In thelatter. casewe .provide a base in the.

naturev of, a game board, and. this. is preferably in ytheform ofay lowtable constructed to rest. firmly Ona` floor or other support at asuitable elevation. The play-ingfface ofy thev board is designed andch'artedltorepresent a miniature` golf course. Associated with, 40 andsystemmatically movable overvthe distinguishable sectors of this golfcourse are -movable indicatorswhich-are fashioned tok arepropelledoverthe playing field.` In thepending application mentioned, one

represent actual golfV balls in motion as they or more impact devicesareprovided and areI constructed to be actuated, by. the players.y

Incidentally, the game is constructed to permit a number ofperformerstoplay at One mtime.

lEach of the impact devices includes a mov able limpact element(preferably aregulation4 golf ball) intended to be actuated by ablowffromaconventional golfclub and constructed', to operate in conjunctionwith and coincidenti- 57,5L to the golf ball indicators in properrelation soV that4 the indicators automatically and properly record thedegree of `Inovemfent vand the Apower of the blow` imparted totheimpactL element, whereby the indicators are 'caused to @ini move adistance inproper proportion to h'the power of the blow impartedto said:impact,L element. i

Considering furtherY the game constituting the subject matter of our(zo-pending1 case, it" will be observed that it comprisesa gaine i boardwhich has its face provided withindicia representinga miniature golfcourse which includes a plurality of successive sectors, and each sectorin itself includes a teeing ground, a vremote putting green andlcup, andan interveningfairway. 'In addition, we provide a plurality ofindividual'` and dis? tinguishable indicators in the form ofgolfJ ballswhich are successively movable alongy 'T the fairway in each sector toand. beyond the .v cup on the green. Embedded in thefairway,4 isa platewhich has a plurality of-longil tudinal slots formed in it andunderneath. of the slots are propulsion cables. The field indicators areconstructed for detachable connection with these cables. 4

Since developing the original propulsion cable and detachable prongconnection be,- tween the indicator balls and the cable, We, have foundit practicable `and expedient" to incorporate in this part of thegamecertain reinementswhich, it is believed.y render` the improved game moresatisfactory, efficient,l and dependable in operation.

Briefly, the improvedA arrangement is1 characterized by anew type ofvbed plate which is mounted on thetable and provided,

- with guideways. Movable in each guidevvay,

is a power actuated drive chain of a special type rendering itespecially adaptable. for use in an arrangement of this kind. Then too,thereis a novel type of golf bally indie cator4 fprovided for`cooliieratizon,with the l com:I

panion drive chain. 1.90

By way of contrast, the improved indicator propulsion means, whichconstitutes the principal novelty of this invention, is dis'-tinguishable in that an entirely new form of operating connection is hadbetween the indicator and the especially constructed drive chain, thisbeing in the form of a positive driving connection of a quick detachabletype.'

A further feature of the improvement is the provision of a cushioningfelt covering for the table, which minimizes noise and enhances theappearance of the construction.

A still further feature of the improvement is the construction of theindicator which includes arotatable ball, provided with a View towardsecuring more realistic results in that as the indicator travels alongthe fairway, the ball, constituting a part thereof, will roll.

f In the drawing:

Y Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the game boardwith portions broken away to disclose the driving pulley assembly.

lFigure 2 is a section Vtaken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

y Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on either of the lines 3-3 ofFigures 1 and 2 respectively.

. Figure e is a detail side elevational view of the indicator per se.

.Y Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the flexibledriving chain.

Referring now to the drawing by reference numerals, it will be observedthat 6 designates generally a base which, as before stated, is in thenature of a low leg equipped table including a game board or base 7which occupies a plane close to the floor or other surface on which thestructure is supported. ln this application we have shown a fragmentaryportion of the game board which (for sake of clearness) merely includesa single sector on the playing field, and as vbefore mentioned thissector includes the usual teeing ground at the left hand end, here generally designated at 8. At this same end are colored disk-like markers9, 10, 11 and 12 which are in registry with the left hand ends of theguideways for the field indicating means. We have shown two indicatorspositioned in Figure 1 and it will be observed the fairway to thereceiving cup (not shown) at the right hand end of the fairway.

The reference character 14 designates a felt covering for the top of thetable and this is provided with slots 15, 16, 17 and 18 which overliethe four parallel longitudinal guideways. l

The reference character 19 designates generally a metal bed plate whichis here shown as constructed to lit into a correspondingly shapedopening cut in the board 7, and this plate. is formed with marginalattaching flanges 20 secured by screws or the like 21 to the bottom ofthe board. This is clearly shown in Figure 2. The plate isformed withspaced parallel depressions 22 which function as the guideways for eachdrive chain rlhese guideways are of channelshaped open-endedconfiguration and the chain slides along the bottom of the channel as isobvious from Figure 3.

Particularly do we emphasize the utilization of flexible drive chainsofthe character indicated generally by the reference characters 28. Asseen in Figure 5 each chain is made up of a multiplicity of hollow balls24 coupled together by headed connecting pins 25. This providesan'unusual and a highly desirable type of driving chain or cable in thatit facilitates application and removal of the indicators' to expeditetheir exchange from one area or sector to the next and soon.

then simply returned or slipped down into the guideway and engaged withthe companion drive chain in an easy and expeditious style. Therefore,we provide a positive, yet quick detachable connection between the chain23 and its complemental indicator.

For sake of completeness in Figure 1 we illustrate a pulley carryingshaft 26 which is journaled for rotation in bearings 27. rl'here arefour pulleys 28 mounted on their shaft and the various driving chains 23have operating` connection in alinement therewith. In addition there isa worm as at 29 on the shaftwhich is driven from an electric motor (notshown). power supply means are not described in this application. Thegist of the invention is in the constructionfof the especially designedpropulsion or drive chains 23, the guide channels in the bed plate 19and the especially constructed indicators 13.

Each indicator includes a centralized carrier plate whose lower endportion 3() (see Figure 3) is designed to vform what may be designatedas a driving foot or segmental rack. This is so made as topermit it tobe slipped 'down into the guide channel 22 between the side wallsthereof. The lower edge is serrated to provide driving teeth as at 31 inFigure t and these teeth engage the balls 24 so that the carrier ismoved along with The indicators are bodily liftedv f up when it isdesired to remove them and The details of the sur th'edrrive chain '23.Thei upperi end portion: Wei-Claimj of the carrier pla-taisofdisk-like'uformasgV at32 and Vformed Withfa7 lrelativelyla'i'gegcen;-U

35 ofthe rotatableindicator ball. This loose:

pin L connection 1 allows the; sectional, bi1-111,', Which-is made ofllead orv otherr Weightyrmaterial to reston thek feltll. as seen 4:inFigure 2; In fact the ballhas rolling contact-With the; felt and theresult is` that'.` aS-thevchain moves the indicator along longitudinallyofl theguideWay-,theyballirolls. to addato theA realistic results ofthe; game; Y

It Will be observed that the segmental rack; or footi() is inthe nat-ureofaD pendant;- on the lower end portion of the carrier.` plate and fitstelescopically` into the: companion guide channel. The rack teeth merelyrest 'on the balls off the dri-ve chain 28. The points ofithe teetharenested-in'betweenthe balls-24;. and the-connecting pins 25.. T'heindicator-'is quite weighty and sutlicientwveight is broughtto .bear onthe toothedrackto cause thev teethto readily find theiry properpositions by easily. settling'in place. This provides the desired dragaction of` the chainlpullingfthe indicator along in the channel.`.Inasmuch as the so called. rack "30 merely-rests upon the'v chain theentire indicator canbereadily and, bodily removed from one channeljandexchanged or transferred to-a different channel in the next sector onthe golf course.` This affords an absolute and positive drive for theindicator-and atV thefsarne time permits the desired interchangeabilityin the structure. In addition-Wevvish to mentiona pawland ratcheteffectproducedby the peculiar meshing of the'teeth 31 Withthe balls 24'of the driving chain; For instancewvhenfthe indicator'reaches theterminal end otltheguide- Way in Which it moves it does not and must notrepelthe ceaseless motive action of the chain.. In fact, the arrangementis sounique that the toothed foot 30 responds tothe continued drivingactionof the chain by allow- Y ing it'to carry on While the indicatorstays put and merely rides over the balls 24.

The dominating characteristics ofthe improved ield indicator arrangementor assembly are the especially designed bed plate havingthe open-endedchannel-shapedA guide- Ways, the slot equipped. feltr forcushioning and'friction drivingv purposes, the flexible ballA and pin drive chainarrangement, and the peculiarly constructed indicatordistinguished bythe rolling ball andl thefto'oth equipped driving foot. Y

- Theadvantages which accruefrom this revised arrangement will be quiteclear to persons skilled in the art towhich the invention relates.Therefore,a more lengthy description is lragarded as unnecessary.- v

-l. Inl a Egolf-.game of theclass,descrigbed, in; combination, a gameboard equipped Witliya;

playingeld having a. longitudinallyfextending guidewa'y, an yindicator'moy-able; longitudinally.` in said guid'eway, and a separabledrive;chain mountedA below`V said .guideyvayg and f contacting with saidindicator to move;

they same, saidiy drive chain being ot avflexe ible,y nature andincluding a multiplicity of-A balls connected together by headedcoupling pins;V Y

2.' vIna golf'game ofthefclass described,V in combination, ,a game.board-equipped :With a1. playing -fieldl havin g-.a longitudinallyextending guideway, an indicator movable longitudinally in saidguideway, and drive chain mounted beloWfsaidguideway, said*wdrivechainbeingzof a lexible natu-re and include ing a.multiplicity.of'balls connected together by. headed coupling pins, said'V indicatorincluding *ya portion having quick detachable Y,

and 'driving connection Withssaidfballs. e

v 3f. Inl acgolf` game of the class described, aV

basehaving a bediplate mounted;` thereon,

said bed4 plate being providedwith 'at-least,

one longitudinally extending depression providingfan open-ended guidechanneha propulsion .element slidable inthe bottom of said channel, anindicatorincludingfa golf;

ball: representation. and a carrier therefor,-

said carrier-including a portion extendingy down into said channelfand-detachably con-y nected Withpsaid-propulsion element. i

4. In ja golff'gamevofthe class described, a base, a, bed i platemounted on saidfK base andI provided; with; a" plurality oflongitudinallyv extending spacedparallel open-ended chan-v neleshapedportions constituting guidevvays,y

indicator propulsion chainsl mounted for,.-

lnovement ineaeh guideway, and individualY operatingmeans fonsa1dchains.Y

5. Infav golf gameof the class described,

abase, a `bed-plate mounted on saidzbaseand provided With a pluralityof: longitudinally extending spaced parallely open-ended1 channel-shapedportions constituting4 guidevvays,

indicator propulsion chains. mounted fon movement in each guideway, andindividual operating means for said chains, each chain being offlexible` construction and includingy aY multiplicity of closelyspaced.A hollow; balls,-

connected together by headed, coupling-pins. 6. Ina golf` game ofthe-class described, a

gameboard, a bedplatecarried by said boardl fas having rolling contactwith the game board and a cushion-like felt covering for said game boardinterposed between said golf ball representation and thel top of theboard.

8. In a structure of the class described, a

game board having a sectoil designed to rep resent a teeing ground, agolf ball receiving cup and putting green and an interveningfairway/,said fairway embodying a longitudinally extending guidevvay, apropulsion element suspended beneath said guideW-ay, and an indicatormovable along said guide- K Way by contact with said element andincluding a rotatably mounted ball having rolling contact with saidgaine board.

9. As a new product of manufacture, an indicator for use and associationwith a golf game of the class described comprising a carrier having atooth equipped foot adapted for drivingand detachable connection with apropulsion chain, and a rotatable golf ball carried by said carrier.

10. In a golf gaine of the class described, a game board having an areaincluded in a playing field, said area being designed to represent aportion of a golf course and including a longitudinal guideway, aflexible .A driving chain movable beneath said guide- `v'40 Way, and anindicator, said indicator comprising a carrier plate having a toothequipped foot detachably engaged with said driving chain and having aportion extending above the surface of the game board, and a two-partrotatably mounted golf ball representation on the protruding portion ofthe carrier plate having rolling Contact with said board.

11. In a golf game of the class described,

a charted game board, guide means cooper-I able therewith, a propulsionchain operable in said guide means, and a :separable indicator movablein the guide means and including a toothed carrier plate receivedthereby and having a slip connection with the chain for movementtherewith, and to permit independent movement of said chain.

12. In a golf game of the class described, a game board having alongitudinally extending guideway, and an indicator movable along said`guideway and including a portion representing a golf ball, and a carriertherefor depending into said guideway, together with a propulsion chainmovable in said guideway and having loose driving connec-tion with saidportion whereby to provide a Vdesired ratcheting action and to permitsaid indicator to be bodily lifted out of the guideway for'subsequenttransfer purposes.

f 18. In a golf game of the class described, agame board having apredetermined area` formed with an open-ended channel-shaped guideway,an indicator comprising a golf ball representation and a segmentaltoothed portion functioning as a rack, said rack de'- pending into saidguidevvay and said'golf ball representation resting on said board, and aflexible ball and pin drive chain movable through `said guideway, therack teeth having separabledriving conection with said chain.

14. As a new article of manufacture, la.

bed plate for use on a game board, including opposed marginal attachingflanges, and depending longitudinally spaced channelshaped guidewaysadapted for slidable re selectively inserted into one of said guide-fways from the top thereof, said body having a toothed lower edge toprovide a slip connection with the chain for movement there with and topermit independent movement of said chain.

16. In a golf game of the class described, a gaine board having aplaying field provided with guideways, a driving chain movable in eachguideway, a separable indicator including a body portion adapted to beselectively inserted into one of said guideways from the top thereof,said body having a toothed lower edge engaging said chain to provide aslip connection therewith, whereby said body is capable of moving withthe chain, or the chain permitted independent movement, and a. rotatablymounted golf ball representation having rolling contacts with thesurface of the board.

17. In a golf game of the class described, a game board having a playingfield provided with spaced guideways of channel-like formation and openat both ends, a driving chain movable through each guidevvay, andsupported thereby in definite spaced relation beneath said game boardand a separable indicator for each chain, including a body portionadapted to be inserted into one of the guideways from the top thereof,said body having a toothed lower edge to provide a slip connection withthe chain, whereby said body and'chain can move as a unit'or the chainindependently vof said body.

18. In a golf game of the class described, a gameboardhaving a playingfield provided with guideways, a driving vchain movable in eachguideway, a separable indicator yin-y cluding a body portion adapted tobe selectively inserted into one of the guideways, and a rotatablymounted golf ball representation having rolling Contact With the surfaceof the board, and a slip connection between the body portion of theindicator and saidV chain, to permit vcontinued movement of the chainindependently of the indicator, when the latter reaches a predetermined'position on the field.

In testimony whereof We aiix our signatures.

FREDERICK L. FOX. FRANK C. GIBSON.

